Goldenseal. Photo via Tallahassee Democrat
The lymphatic system is one of the most difficult, and complex, systems of the human body to heal consistently.
For some people, weight gain seems inevitable, especially when they find themselves in situations where they aren’t able to move around or get as much exercise as they would like in order to keep their body’s “drainage system” pumping.
I personally have battled difficulties in this particular area since I was about 10 or 11 years old.
The good news is that exercise and herbal treatments combined can solve lymphatic system issues when practiced and taken consistently. Let’s start by discussing the ten herbs that work best, along with the three exercises that have worked for me over the years.
The Top Ten Herbs for Healing Your Lymphatic System Naturally
- Astragalus- This is one of the foundational herbs of Chinese medicine. It can eliminate swelling and even supports healthy aging by lengthening telomeres over time. Try it in this anti-aging formula from HealthyCell (use code ‘althealthworks’ for a discount at checkout)
- Wild Indigo Root- This herb helps to rid the body of damaging microbes and wastes. It also improves lymphatic flow and reduces swelling in the glands.
- Goldenseal- An anti-inflammatory herb with benefits for dental health, lymph system health and reducing inflammation.
- Cat’s Claw- Found in the Amazon Rainforest, Cat’s Claw is an All-Star at helping to open up the body’s drainage systems. It can also help repair DNA and cleanses the blood of smokers in as little as two weeks. Try it in this supplement (use code ‘althealthworks’ for a discount).
- Cleavers- Typically found in forests, cleavers are tiny herbs that resemble four-leaf clovers. They heal the kidney system and can be made into a tea that helps to move fluid and toxins through and out of the kidneys and lymph system. Learn more about the Cleaver herb here.
- Devil’s Claw- Not to be confused with Cat’s Claw, this herb helps to stimulate the lymphatic system to facilitate improved drainage.
- Knotted Figwort- A plant used to treat swelling and inflammation of lymph nodes, ears, nose, and the respiratory system.
- Wolf’s Foot Clubmoss- An herb used to relieve swelling in the lymph nodes and tonsils, it can also help with ear infections.
- Dandelion- Known as a “weed,” this herb helps to rid the body of excess toxins that have built up over the months and years. Learn more here.
- Pot Marigold- Calendula is used for swollen lymph nodes, cleansing body tissues, and swollen lymph nodes. Learn more about each herb here.
The top three exercises I have used to solve this problem over the years are as follows:
1. Walking/Sports-
I have always enjoyed playing sports such as basketball, football, baseball, golf and soccer.
I was never much of a walker, however, until my early 30s at least.
Once I began walking consistently every day, my lymphatic system got used to the medicine of movement, something that cannot be obtained any other way. Walking is more gentle on the body allowing for a more consistent and sustainable form of movement that both sports.
I often found when I did high intensity sports without walking, I would be sore for hours afterward and take days to recover. Walking makes it easy to scale up to more intense exercise.
The ideal exercise regiment for me starts with lots and lots of walking. High-intensity sports and workouts come second.
Oftentimes it feels like walking is too time consuming. Nothing could be further from the truth as it is the basis of all healthy human movement.
2. Massage-
Massage is considered expensive in a cost prohibitive way for many people, but I have found that it is always worth the extra expense. It helps stimulate drainage of the lymph nodes fast and is breaks up areas of the body, face or neck where stagnancy and clumped up groupings of cells may have occurred.
Massage coupons can be found for local purveyors of this incredible therapy on Groupon.com, and self-massage is also quite helpful.
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One modality administered under professional guidance that has helped me incredibly well is through a machine called the LymphStar.
The Lymphstar is a high-tech massage wand used by naturopathic healers that helps to drain lymphatic fluid incredibly fast.
Specialized lymphatic massages can be extra helpful if you feel a stagnant energy in your system.
3. Rebounding-
Rebounding is the simple practice of jumping on a trampoline.
According to NASA scientists, rebounding is the most effective exercise a human being can do, and as a bonus it’s quite easy on the joints.
When shopping for a rebounder, it’s important to find one that is whisper quiet as most of them can be quite noisy and clanky. I first learned about rebounders while visiting a natural healing center in Michigan where cancer patients took wheatgrass at least three times per day and jumped on rebounders to flush toxins out of their body.
To me, wheatgrass and rebounding is the most potent 1-2 combo for effectively detoxifying the body and draining the lymphatic system of potentially harmful substances.
This rebounder has been life changing for my body, health and fitness. Click here or on the picture above to try it (from my favorite company Bellicon).
Thanks for reading!
I hope you found this list as useful as I did. For millions of people, swollen lymph nodes and a build-up of toxins and unwanted fluids in the body can lead to water weight gain, sluggishness, depression and so many other health problems.
I highly recommend seeking out these herbs and exercise modalities, and putting them to good use each day, preferably under the supervision of a naturopathic doctor.
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About Nick Meyer
